borit asbestos superfund site - Borough of Ambler
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 3 DELAWARE, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
BORIT ASBESTOS SUPERFUND SITE BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, Ambler, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
December 2016
EPA Releases Proposed Cleanup Plan for Public Comment The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, located in Whitpain and Upper Dublin Townships and Ambler Borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The site consists of three streams and three parcels: the Park parcel, Reservoir parcel, and the Asbestos pile parcel (See Figure 1, next page). The PRAP evaluates five alternatives to address asbestos contamination at the Site in the long-term, including EPA’s preferred alternative. The PRAP is based on the results of several investigations and a study completed by the EPA: 1. Remedial Investigation: Completed November 2013; 2. Remedial Investigation Addendum: Completed May 2015; 3. Feasibility Study: Completed November 2016. This fact sheet summarizes EPA’s preferred alternative only. To read the complete PRAP and supporting documentation, please visit: http://semspub.epa.gov/src/collection/03/AR64805
EPA’s Preferred Alternative Of the five alternatives evaluated, EPA is proposing Alternative WSS2: Capping as the preferred alternative for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. In proposing this alternative, EPA incorporates the work that has already been completed at the site which includes covering the asbestos-containing wastes, soils, and reservoir sediments with geotextile fabric, a minimum of 2 feet of clean material, and 6 inches of topsoil and vegetation.
Public Meeting
You’re invited to submit comments on EPA’s proposed cleanup plan at the upcoming public meeting on: January 10, 2017 Ambler Borough Building Gymnasium 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Public Comment Period
Comments may also be submitted anytime during the public comment period which runs from December 04, 2016 to February 1, 2017 To review the proposed cleanup plan please go to: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/03/2238056 Or visit: Information Repository Wissahickon Valley Library Ambler Branch 209 Race Street, Ambler, PA 19002 To submit comments, See “Your Role...,” next page.
EPA’s Preferred Alternative (cont’d)
Benefits of Preferred Alternative (cont’d)
In addition to the capping work that has been completed, the preferred alternative also includes the following components to ensure the long-term protection of human health and the environment:
√ The preferred alternative is cost effective, can be implemented quickly, and will not negatively affect floodplains.
√ Post-construction sampling √ Restrictions on the future use of the site √ Long-term maintenance √ Long-term monitoring EPA believes the preferred alternative is the best balance of the nine criteria that EPA is obligated to evaluate while considering remedial action alternatives. The preferred alternative meets these criteria and also meets the long-term goals for the site which are to: √ Minimize the risk of inhalation of asbestos-contaminated wastes and soils √ Prevent wildlife from coming into contact with asbestos waste or asbestos-contaminated soil or sediment, as well as sediment containing carbon disulfide √ Minimize the transfer of asbestos in reservoir sediment to the surface water
Benefits of Preferred Alternative √ The existing cap eliminates exposure to contaminated materials and prevents or minimizes the possibility of disturbing them. √ Future use restrictions will assure that the integrity of the cap will be protected. √ Any proposed uses will be reviewed and approved by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. √ Long-term maintenance and monitoring plans will ensure the cap remains protective.
√ Implementing the preferred alternative will not increase traffic in the fence-line community or disturb contaminated materials which could pose increased risks to human health or the environment
EPA Work Completed to Date It’s important to note that, since December 2008, EPA has completed extensive work at the BoRit site to address the immediate need to minimize risk from asbestos-containing materials and to stabilize the streambanks. This work compliments the long-term goals that EPA is proposing in the PRAP. Work completed to date includes:
the Pile and the Reservoir berm were covered with geotextile fabric, at least 2 feet of clean material, and approximately 6 inches of topsoil to support plant growth. In certain areas, the Reservoir berm includes up to 10 feet of soil cover. √ The Reservoir was emptied. Its bottom was covered with geotextile fabric and a minimum of 2 feet of clean material, and it was refilled. A clayimpregnated liner was added to strengthen unstable portions of the berm. Habitat areas were designed and constructed to support wildlife.
√ Stream banks bordering waste disposal areas were armored and a portion of Tannery Run was routed through pipe to prevent EPA’s Nine Criteria erosion from the creek Analysis flow. This will prevent Before EPA can select a final or minimize future contamination of the cleanup option, each option √ On the Park parcel, some waterways from the stream is evaluated using the waste was consolidated banks and sediment and following nine criteria: into two waste cells, protect floodplain soils. then covered with 1. Overall Protectiveness √ The cap on the stream geotextile fabric, at least of Human Health and the banks includes 10 to 15 2 feet of clean soil, and Environment inches of clean fill and approximately 6 inches of a layer of topsoil and topsoil and vegetation. 2. Compliance with vegetation, as well as Applicable or Relevant and √ Other areas of the Park cabled concrete mats, Appropriate Requirements geocells, and erosion parcel were also covered control mats, wherever with geotextile fabric, 3. Long-term Effectiveness warranted. 2 feet of clean material, 4. Reduction of Toxicity, and approximately 6 inches √ The slopes of the Pile were Mobility, or Volume through of topsoil and vegetation. regraded for stability, and Treatment 5. Short-Term Effectiveness 6. Implementability 7. Cost 8. State Acceptance 9. Community Acceptance
These nine criteria are used to evaluate the different options individually and against each other in order to select a remedy. At this point, EPA has fully evaluated the first seven of the nine criteria as summarized in the Evaluation of Alternatives section of the PRAP. Only after considering input from state officials and the community regarding the preferred alternative, will EPA make a final decision. For more information about how the nine criteria are evaluated, please go to http://go.usa.gov/xWKFW
FIGURE 1: BoRit Asbestos Site Map
Your Role In The Process The public is encouraged to review the Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) and submit comments or concerns to the EPA. To review the complete PRAP online, please visit: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/03/2238056
Comments on the PRAP may be submitted by postal mail, e-mail, or in person at the upcoming public meeting. (See details, previous Contact Us page). Mail comments postmarked no Gina Soscia Community Involvement later than February 1, 2017, to: Coordinator EPA Region 3 [email protected] 215-814-5538 [email protected]
or to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Office 1650 Arch Street (Mailcode 3HS21) Philadelphia, PA 19103 Attn: Jill Lowe, RPM
Jill Lowe Remedial Project Manager EPA Region 3 215-814-3123 [email protected]
Resources For more information about the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/boritasbestos For more information about EPA’s Superfund Program: http://www.epa.gov/superfund To review the entire Administrative Record for the Borit Site, go to: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/collection/03/AR64805
BORIT ASBESTOS SUPERFUND SITE BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, Ambler, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
December 2016
EPA Releases Proposed Cleanup Plan for Public Comment The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, located in Whitpain and Upper Dublin Townships and Ambler Borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The site consists of three streams and three parcels: the Park parcel, Reservoir parcel, and the Asbestos pile parcel (See Figure 1, next page). The PRAP evaluates five alternatives to address asbestos contamination at the Site in the long-term, including EPA’s preferred alternative. The PRAP is based on the results of several investigations and a study completed by the EPA: 1. Remedial Investigation: Completed November 2013; 2. Remedial Investigation Addendum: Completed May 2015; 3. Feasibility Study: Completed November 2016. This fact sheet summarizes EPA’s preferred alternative only. To read the complete PRAP and supporting documentation, please visit: http://semspub.epa.gov/src/collection/03/AR64805
EPA’s Preferred Alternative Of the five alternatives evaluated, EPA is proposing Alternative WSS2: Capping as the preferred alternative for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. In proposing this alternative, EPA incorporates the work that has already been completed at the site which includes covering the asbestos-containing wastes, soils, and reservoir sediments with geotextile fabric, a minimum of 2 feet of clean material, and 6 inches of topsoil and vegetation.
Public Meeting
You’re invited to submit comments on EPA’s proposed cleanup plan at the upcoming public meeting on: January 10, 2017 Ambler Borough Building Gymnasium 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Public Comment Period
Comments may also be submitted anytime during the public comment period which runs from December 04, 2016 to February 1, 2017 To review the proposed cleanup plan please go to: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/03/2238056 Or visit: Information Repository Wissahickon Valley Library Ambler Branch 209 Race Street, Ambler, PA 19002 To submit comments, See “Your Role...,” next page.
EPA’s Preferred Alternative (cont’d)
Benefits of Preferred Alternative (cont’d)
In addition to the capping work that has been completed, the preferred alternative also includes the following components to ensure the long-term protection of human health and the environment:
√ The preferred alternative is cost effective, can be implemented quickly, and will not negatively affect floodplains.
√ Post-construction sampling √ Restrictions on the future use of the site √ Long-term maintenance √ Long-term monitoring EPA believes the preferred alternative is the best balance of the nine criteria that EPA is obligated to evaluate while considering remedial action alternatives. The preferred alternative meets these criteria and also meets the long-term goals for the site which are to: √ Minimize the risk of inhalation of asbestos-contaminated wastes and soils √ Prevent wildlife from coming into contact with asbestos waste or asbestos-contaminated soil or sediment, as well as sediment containing carbon disulfide √ Minimize the transfer of asbestos in reservoir sediment to the surface water
Benefits of Preferred Alternative √ The existing cap eliminates exposure to contaminated materials and prevents or minimizes the possibility of disturbing them. √ Future use restrictions will assure that the integrity of the cap will be protected. √ Any proposed uses will be reviewed and approved by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. √ Long-term maintenance and monitoring plans will ensure the cap remains protective.
√ Implementing the preferred alternative will not increase traffic in the fence-line community or disturb contaminated materials which could pose increased risks to human health or the environment
EPA Work Completed to Date It’s important to note that, since December 2008, EPA has completed extensive work at the BoRit site to address the immediate need to minimize risk from asbestos-containing materials and to stabilize the streambanks. This work compliments the long-term goals that EPA is proposing in the PRAP. Work completed to date includes:
the Pile and the Reservoir berm were covered with geotextile fabric, at least 2 feet of clean material, and approximately 6 inches of topsoil to support plant growth. In certain areas, the Reservoir berm includes up to 10 feet of soil cover. √ The Reservoir was emptied. Its bottom was covered with geotextile fabric and a minimum of 2 feet of clean material, and it was refilled. A clayimpregnated liner was added to strengthen unstable portions of the berm. Habitat areas were designed and constructed to support wildlife.
√ Stream banks bordering waste disposal areas were armored and a portion of Tannery Run was routed through pipe to prevent EPA’s Nine Criteria erosion from the creek Analysis flow. This will prevent Before EPA can select a final or minimize future contamination of the cleanup option, each option √ On the Park parcel, some waterways from the stream is evaluated using the waste was consolidated banks and sediment and following nine criteria: into two waste cells, protect floodplain soils. then covered with 1. Overall Protectiveness √ The cap on the stream geotextile fabric, at least of Human Health and the banks includes 10 to 15 2 feet of clean soil, and Environment inches of clean fill and approximately 6 inches of a layer of topsoil and topsoil and vegetation. 2. Compliance with vegetation, as well as Applicable or Relevant and √ Other areas of the Park cabled concrete mats, Appropriate Requirements geocells, and erosion parcel were also covered control mats, wherever with geotextile fabric, 3. Long-term Effectiveness warranted. 2 feet of clean material, 4. Reduction of Toxicity, and approximately 6 inches √ The slopes of the Pile were Mobility, or Volume through of topsoil and vegetation. regraded for stability, and Treatment 5. Short-Term Effectiveness 6. Implementability 7. Cost 8. State Acceptance 9. Community Acceptance
These nine criteria are used to evaluate the different options individually and against each other in order to select a remedy. At this point, EPA has fully evaluated the first seven of the nine criteria as summarized in the Evaluation of Alternatives section of the PRAP. Only after considering input from state officials and the community regarding the preferred alternative, will EPA make a final decision. For more information about how the nine criteria are evaluated, please go to http://go.usa.gov/xWKFW
FIGURE 1: BoRit Asbestos Site Map
Your Role In The Process The public is encouraged to review the Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) and submit comments or concerns to the EPA. To review the complete PRAP online, please visit: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/03/2238056
Comments on the PRAP may be submitted by postal mail, e-mail, or in person at the upcoming public meeting. (See details, previous Contact Us page). Mail comments postmarked no Gina Soscia Community Involvement later than February 1, 2017, to: Coordinator EPA Region 3 [email protected] 215-814-5538 [email protected]
or to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Office 1650 Arch Street (Mailcode 3HS21) Philadelphia, PA 19103 Attn: Jill Lowe, RPM
Jill Lowe Remedial Project Manager EPA Region 3 215-814-3123 [email protected]
Resources For more information about the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/boritasbestos For more information about EPA’s Superfund Program: http://www.epa.gov/superfund To review the entire Administrative Record for the Borit Site, go to: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/collection/03/AR64805
